The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

! VARIOUS PORTS. I Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. U-O, N. Y., April 19.—In the admiralty ! suii bright by the owners of the schooner C. K. i Nims against the owners of the schooner Duvid Dows, Judge Cox haw rendered an opinion in the "United States Court at Utica. The Nims was Sunk off Point-au-Pelee, Lake Erie, in collision with the Dows, Sept. 10, .1**1, for which her owners claim $13,281.42 damages. Judge Cox decides that the Dows was at fault, primarily, for not being well managed, and the Nims, secondarily, for making no particular effort to get out uf her way. He recommends the appointment of referees to ascertain the proportion for which _ each is at fault. The new steariVbarge building by B. Mills & Co. was sold to-dav to J. 0. Lockwood and others, of Milan, for $-.'.7,000 cash. She is to be fl for towing, with sails, etc., and will be ready by Miivl. Special Telegram to The mt« r i AliPENA, Mich., April '.!>. Arrivals—Prop irun-dell, from Bay City; stmr Pearl, from Detroit. No obstruct. Wpecial Telegram to the I FEANKFORT, Mich, April in.— The schooner Nellie Church, with hardwood lumber, cli Sheboygan; echrs Lavinda, pine for Bacine; Oscar Newhouse, wood and bark. Milwaukee; prop Barker, to Pentwater. Wind northeast, i -•if.'Ki'am to Tin: inUv Ocean. 1 UJKEE, "Wis., April 19.—The new engine [of the steambarge C. H. Starke was badly : wrecked last night. The steam had been raised ¦ on the Starke, for the purpose of testing the new . compound engine built for her during t \ i by James Sheriffs. Everything was in readiness for | the trial by 9 o'clock, and a little lftl Sheriffs opened the throttle and set the engine in motion. It had not made many turns ere there was a crash, followed by a rush of steam, which completely filled the engineroom. The small condenser engine proved ro !.),¦ a complete wreck. ,Tiu; cross bead h;id broken, driving; out the cylinder head, tig-the frame, and sliiverim: ¦ d. Mr. Sheil':"?: ..;¦..',-ii <:;¦<>:: ew moments in silenl and then 11 Uout a word to any one, 1J> bad ventured upon a dangeron ¦ ¦.osr-iie.iii of cast Iron h Iwrought-iron or steel, and his was the loss, Icoupled with chagrin. Almost an entire new en-tone will have to be built, invdlviag a loss of two Iweefes' time to the owner's of the steambarge and Ian outlay to Mr. Sheriffs of not less than $300 or VARIOUS FORTS, East Ta\* is, Mich., April 15. -The ice is all :11 oV S^ciraw Bay. ,„,,_, '¦' -i-rov Ray. Wis., April 14.—The heavy i southeaster thai prevailed la^i, ni„ht and. to-day, crowded the ice from the canal toward the cityV and the upper end of the bay is now entirely free. The ferryboat commenced making trips across! I the bay to-day. The tug J. N. Brooks, on the way from St. Maries Island to Manitowoc, came into port to-day for shelter, being the first arrival o£ the season. The captain reports the lake entirely clear of ice, but states that Big and Little Bay de Noque are frozen solid yet. The lower port of Green Bay remains solid. Most of tha craft here go into commission next week. Toledo, Ohio, April 14.—It having been reported that the recent ice gorges in the river at this point had caused the formation of sandbars in the channel between the harbor and lake, careful soundings were taken to-day, which show the report to have been incorrect. The channel is MUSKEGON $1.50. ri? ¦¦¦¦¦Jn ' "* ""T—rami ii rr~r--------.-.--—-. — |||||>|ll)>rrf JWWrere was an lucre! Friers to-day, and rates were established at ifU.i!;". from Muskegon, with corresponding rates to other east shore ports. These rates will undoubtedly prevail the greater part of the summer." EXPLOSION OUTSIDE. The new tug Charnley, bound out, with her barge in tow, blew our a joint wLh-m two miles down the lake yesterday and became disabled. None of the crew was injured or scalded. A tug wenj to her and towed her -and her barge back into the harbor, where repairs were in progr« ¦ last '.veiling. MORE GRAIN SAILINGS. The steamship I con Chief, grain loaded, left Chicago at 9:30 o'clock yesterday morning for below, she wa« followed later by the steamships Nahant, fl. E. Facte r and Fred Mercnr, an<l The Opening Basis for Lumber Freights on Lake Michigan—Will Vessel Owners Accept. A Big Piece of News Which Leaked Out Last Evening—General Marine News. J] dock Company has contracted to build two iron propellers to run in the Ogdensburg and Chicago line, for which the pioneer ship is now building; here. They will be as large as possible to get ; through the Welland Canal, and are expected to \ carry 1,500 tons. The ferry and other steamers I moved around the river to-day with the utmost difficulty, owing to the heavy floating ice. Lake St. Clair will be navigable in a few days at the present rate. Although ranch of the ice is rotten, much of it is very solid, extending deep into the wa i .j**——^—^«»—>*wmi «¦—w>«»<......*< v- EIAST-Tawas, Mich., April 14.—The fine residence of John Sullivan, a lumberman, was struck by lightning during the storm to-day. Hail fell which measured over two and three-fourth inches in circumference. There is no ice in Saginaw Bay as far as can be seen, and but little along the shore. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Detroit, Mich., April 15.—The weather -was very warm to-day, the thermometer at 5 p. m. registering SO in the shade. The river is running full of ice, which is melting very fast. The steamer City of Baltimore left Marine City for Detroit at 8 o'clock this morning, and got within five miles of Grosse Point, where she found the ice very solid, and returned. The Baltimore will make another attempt Monday, and thinks she will get through. The steamers Pearl and Flora will leave for Mackinaw Tuesday night. S])i-K!l Telegram to The Inter Ocean. i .sr Tawas, Mich., April 14.—Saginaw Bay fs clear of ice as far as one can see, and the ico alotg the shore is leaving rapidly. Spo !;il Telegram to The Inter Ocean. CffiEBOTGANf Mich,, April 14.—Trie ice is wasting rapidly, and high winds would no doubt; break the bridge to allow steamers to go through eeh the 20th and 25th. The wind is east, and light. The mercury was 80 in the shade) at noon to-day. It is raining to-night, with a shift of wind. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Mackinaw City, Mich., April 15.—A heavv southwest wind has blown all day and the ice i-? fast breaking up. Between here and St. Ignace it en. The north channel is also open., but above McGulpiu's Light it is solid as far as the eye caii reach, and it will take a week or ten days of continuous warm weather to let boats through. Boats can probably get through by the 25th or MOtti. Weather warm. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. St. Ignace, Mich., April 15.—The ice is all gone east of here, and breaking up between this The Opening Rate for Seamen's Wages—Meeting to Organize a Grain Cargo Insurance Pool. fern Line propellers Chicago ;iix! Hooton, point and Mackinaw City. The ice seems heavy m' steamers would-leave at daylight this in'Lake Michigan. It is learned from the light keeper at Waugosbanco, three days since, there Other steamers would-leave at daylight morning. The wind Was light from the southeasl in the; was no water in sight from the light-house. Ther- afternoon and evenin; haulier fellows also left. , eai many light THE STRAITS; SfBfiCial Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Cheboygan, Mich* April 29.—TJie steambarge that went through, the first boat of the season, was the Farwell (?). The propeller Messenger was the second boat through, arriving here last night, taking the north shore passage from Manlstique, and. had no trouble in getting through until coming in the Straits, which was well filled with ice. Sail vessels can get through by the time they : reach the Straits Thursday or Friday. Wind west, fresh; cold. [The steamship Jesse H. Farwell is still in Chicago, and, as yet, is unchartered. She is the only -steam craft on the lakes named Farwell. The craft must have been the S. J. Macey.j Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Mackinaw City, Mich., April 2!).—The Champlain passed down at L' p. m. to-day. She was about eight hours coming from AVavgoshance. It is all rail of ice above here, but very little below here. Wind west, fresh all day; calm and, 'lii. ¦ TYinvf-ui'v- Aiclear to-night; mercury, 40. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Poiri Huron, Mich., April 29.—Arriving craft from Chicago report passing through ice all the ; way from the Beavers to McGfilpln's Point. The ; ice was all moving, but there were great fields of it, solidly packed. The northeast gale, then prevailing, was driving the fields out into Lake 1 Michigan, arid eleven lumber schooners and a propeller, w^iich looked like the City of Traverse, ' were in it. The propeller and seven 6f the schooners were seen to escape. Steamers can now come through the Staits and sail vessels can get [-through in a day or two. Sail fellows can leave , Chicago Monday and Tuesday in all probability. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. Well, the Macey "walked right through." John Olsen, seaman, went imo the Marine Hoa-1 pital yesterday. The steamship Jewett towed down. Saturday night. She is all ready to leave for Buffalo. The Perrett,.Favorite and Boseobelare in port from Green Bay With their first lumber-laden ; tows. See call for bids for government dredging at . Chicago in advertising column. Also call for bids for keeping buoys, furnishing fuel, etc. The revenue cutter Andy Johnson, Captain Davis, goes to the foot ot this lake &ud the Straits mometer, 50. Wind, southwest and heavy, the ice going very fast, and your correspondent be-! ie\ 's si earners can get through by the 25th. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Cheboygan, April 15.— A southwest gale to-day broke the ice in the passage between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City and north channel. The ice abore and below that space of water is urbroken, but would only require a shift of wind to break it all up. The ice above St. Helena is quite firm. Weather warm, with indications of rain. CANADIAN POINTS. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. PORT Hope, Ont., April 15.—The schooner Florence Howard went aground last night while trying to get out of Port Granby, loaded with barley. The tug Wright left here at noon to assist -her. Speciial Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Collingwood, Ont., April 15.—Navigation at this port may be considered open from this date. For i he past three days a strong wind has been blowing from the southward, which entirely cleared the bay of all'ice. Fishermen are preparing r o make a start for their fishing grounds tb coming week, and a good season's traUe is look. FREIGHTS AND "WAGES. THE OPENING BATES ON LUMBER. Hundreds of craft are engaged during the season in the lumber trade on Lake Michigan, and the great question up to the present has been, "What will lumber freights open at?" Vessel-owners and vessel-masters have been on the anx-ous seat for some time as to this question. There lhave been numerous conferences in a quiet way among the carriers, and the lumber shippers and receivers have also had conferences. Lumber fleets commenced leaving Chicago for the east shore two or three days ago and are still going, a large number taking their departure yesterday, and many more will be in readiness to-day. Ail these craft get the '"going rate, when it is made." The secret~ is now out. It leaked out last y evening. The opening rates on lumber from Muskegon and Grand Haven to Chicago is $1.50, other ports in proportion. This one figure is as good as if the whole list of ports was printed, "and indicate the whole range of rates. Whether there will be refusal on the part of some owners to accept the basis of $1.50 from Muskegon and Grand Haven remains to be seen. It is an established fact, however, that some owners have accepted this figure, and that the lumbermen will call it the "opening rate" there can be no doubt. GEAIN FREIGHTS. Grain freights were quite steady, but firm and tending upward. The charters were: To Sarnia—Schr Bay State, 10,000 bu com at 2Ji>c; schr City of Chicago. 21,000 bu corn at 2^c. To Buffalo—Schr Sunrise, 27,000 bu rye at 4c. Through rates on grain from Chicago to New-York, lake and canal, are stated to be 93-iC corn and lO^c wheat. SEAMEN'S WAGES. The Chicago Seamen's Union held a meeting last night and adopted wages for the opening of navigation. The figure is $2 per diem. Those gales, did good work on the ice at the foot of the lake and in the straits. Schooner S. H. Foster, 1). P. Foster estate to J. C. Gilchrist, of Vermillion, $22,500. The grain trimmers are to hold a meeting Thursday evening to agree on the rate for trimming. The hull of the new tug built rat Saugatuek arrived in Chicago yesterday, and she will bo fitted out here. The steambarge George Dunbar left yesterday for Muskegon and the¦ Thompson for Grand Haven to load lumber. The grain-loaded Schooners Moonlight and L. Van Valkenlrarg towed down yesterday preparatory to leaving for below. Captain Frank Higgle will be the vessel-owners' shipping agent again this season. His headquarters are not yet decided upon. CLEARANCE ?OR BELOW. The schooner J. Marria Scott, with grain fori Oewego, on Lake Outarrlo, took out clearance payers at the Custom Htouso yesterday. This is the first schooner for tthe lower lakes this season. To "clear" does mot mean to sail, and taa ScoW will not, leave uniiiil news is received from the straits. NO HUL.L POOL. Insurance gentlemen in Chicago have been, telling* auuie of the reporters here that a hall pool has been organized at Buffalo. The following is from an official source: Special Telegram to "The Inter Oeean- fiUFPAliO, N. Y., April 12.—There has been tic hull pool formed nor is there any possibility ot one being formed. Current rates about 3 r>s* cent. CAUTION TO VESSEL MASTEES. The following, received by Collector &paidingf yesterdav, explains itself: Treasury. pEPABTlflBNT, Washington, April 10.— Sir: The department is informed that the contractor of the government who Is to do the work at the mouth of the Saginaw Kiver, which consists in dre<i[zinir a deeper channel for some two miles out into the bay, complains that he suffered heavy losses laat year by his dredces being rim into by vessels passing which are in irade. You are accordiutrlv directed to make a f minute on the ciearancu of ail vessels proceeding to that locaiity, to guard careiuily against any Interference or collision with the drMge dolnff the government worK, which, it is un ler-. stood, will bo in progress all the summer. Very f respectfully, John 0. New, Assistant Secretary. 4L MARKS. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean, Collingwood, Ont., April 15.—Mr. J. D. Sil cox, contractor for the new dry-dock, to the construction of which the town gave $25,000, has resumed the work with good pros -peqtfl of an early completion. Large gangs of laborers, teams and masons, are at work and every effort will be made to have the dock ready for business by the 10th of May next. When corn-is dock will be the best on the lakes. It is-8-'0 feet long by sixty wide, has a gate entrance of fifty feet in width, has a depth of fourteen feet over the miter sills. Its bottom timbers will bo laid on rock foundation. It is located in the I inner harbor, and is easy of access. • THE STRAITS. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Cheboygan, Mich., April 17.— The condition of the ice above Mackinaw City is about the same. A fresh northwest wind prevailed to-day. Weather cold. The prospects are 'slim for an opening before the 20th. VARIOUS PORTS. Special Telegram to the Inter Ocean. Northpokt, Mich., April 17. -Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan arc entirely free from ice in this vicinity. and there is nothing to prevent navigation ope) Special Telegram U> The Inter Ocean. East Tawas. Mich., April 1 7.— Navigation open here. The lights at Charity Island and Tawas Point were lit for the first time last night. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. PKANKTOST, Mich., April 17.—The tug D. P Hall arrived from Manlstique. She reports the north shore clear of ice. Also, that the steamer Messenger arrived there last night, and that Sun-t!;;y> mile destroyed the bridge pierat Thompson, Schoolcraft County. The Point Betsy light will be lit up to-night. South Manitou harbor is clear of ice. 'Wie steamer Sanford arrived today, also the ftchooner Nellie Church from Sheboygan. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. St. Ignace, Mich., April 17.— James Marphail, I son of Spectacle Reef light-keeper, was drowned I Sunday near Bois Blanc light. The weather is Special Telegram to TheJjiffirJlto^an, .. .¦¦¦, _. fine and warm. No change in the ice in Lake Rpril 15.— Anotner body from the Michigan or the Straits. All clear east of here; wreck Qf the Folger came ashore at Gull Pond, ay. It is the body of Nathan Longston, seaman, This is the fifth body recovered from this wreck. There are four more, not recovered. The father of the young man arrived here to-day, and will take the body to Clayton, N. Y., for burial.___________________________ thermometer 50* FLOTSAIVI AND JETSAM. Schooner Maine, Samuel Swenson to Simeoa Christopher, ;{e, $1*37.50. Crosby & Bimmick, of Buffalo, are making up a hull book of their Own. The W. S. Crosr-hwait was-loading at the Fulton yesterday and the Saveland was lying outside of her waiting. The steambarge Milwaukee makes about ten trips between Grand ¦ Haven and Chicago, and will then carry stone from Washington Island to Traverse City for the new Northern Michigan Insane Asylum. In Toronto harbor a large area otice|stm remains unbroken, but the wind continues to break it up. A stiff easterly wind would drive the entire mass L of ice out of the harbor. Grain freights were firm at 2]4c com to Sarnia and 6s-ic corn to [Kingston. Charters reported SO that she mav help any grain follows or others were: To Sarnia—Schr George Steel, corn, 18,000 who may get into trouble. - bu; schr L. Van Valkenberg, corn, 20.0(H) bu. lo Kingston—Schr G. C. Trumpft', corn, 22,000 bu. The Union Dry-dock Company of Buffalo made Charters at Cleveland: Steamship Everett, coal, ¦ "Lorain to Milwaukee. 77tc; schooner Niagara, eoal, ' "oledo to Green Bay, 70c; Sunnyside, cedar posits, ';M[>eua to Chicago, 5c each. # ""Vessel sales recorded at the Custom House: ^3hooner Newsboy, 1!. II. Trumlmll to William •/atterson, one-third interest. SI ; Schooner Rnby, Gr. R. Thames to Morris Van Platen, one-half interest, Jjtf.500. The Champlain had business in tlto south passage or would have taken the other. She was in Charlevoix on Friday night and of tfburse did not pass Mackinaw Friday mornihfc as one of the diapatches staged, based on n faftfe rumor cm [.at Madkinaw. The steamship & J. Macey, Chicago to Port Huron, passed down at noon on Saturday, and is the first crufi rhv-nuh ihe Straits for the season ol I SB". The Ixtee Ocean's . Cheboygan dispa! eh, announcing thin fact, added : ¦ "Steamers will have no trouble getting through row." The propeller Messenger, from Chicago, ; arrived at St. Ignace, by the north passage. . O'clock Saturday evening, % The schooners Walhalla, Michicott, 0. M. Xei- - sou, John Roeber. and Three BehV* arrived In Frankfort, They reported large bodies of solid- 1 packed ice coming from the north and closing in ¦ about the Manitous, Among vessels eatfght , ie ice were the Bessie Boalt, Celt, Iron- | I sides. Hunter, .1. K Penfield, Green Bay, Reindeer, Lotus, and scow ('. X. Smith. Thepro-peller City of Traverse was working her way throitffh the ice-fields. The departures from Frankport Saturday were: The schooners New-house, La Petite, Three Bells, Michicott, and Sim-Onds, and propeller Barker. A Traverse City special, later, announces the arrival of the Cil y of Traverse i here. A Glen 1 lav en special says : "The bay is full of ice. Three vessels are fas| hi it. The balance of the flee! ran up the South Manitou this IJSaturday,) afternoon." | fcioifTH Chtcago, ill., April 29.—Arrived -Bohr Lwa, from Grand Haven, with I90,0001eet of J lumber for Spencer A; Trowbridge; s#hr Anna Hue. from Muskegon, vwlh liHMJOO feel of : lumber for Richards & Williams ar Rvrerdale, j These two are the first u r w* fSjii-eia'l Telesram to The Inter Il r Guanp ii v\ kn, Mich April 29. Duncan Rohan-! .: ship builder, of this eity, yesterday launched u beautiful little passenger steamcx, which will be 'd on the Manistee and Northoort line. She ¦ left here to-day for Muskegon, were her." f reside. For he:,iny and durability her equal will not he on i he east shore. the lowest bid ($83,900) for rebuilding with an iron hull the revenue steamer Perry. The same company made the lowest bid ($73,000) for th$ construction of a large steam launch for duty in Southern waters. The proposals are being considered. At Oswego, Superintendent Phelps has received orders to build a dock extending east and west along the shore from the east side of the new harbor trestle to the old stone pier. The dock will be 400 feet long, and will require 20,000 cubic yards of filling. An immense quantity of timber will be uged in its construction. There will be a depth of 13 feet of water its entire length. The Oswego Palladium says: The schooner Caroline Marsh. Captain Colwell, arrived in port at 8 o'clock this morning with barley for Irwin & Sloan. The Marsh left Port Hope Sunday morning for Oswego, but encountered considerable ice below Pultnevville. She arrived in Fair Haven Monday evening, remaining there till yesterday morning, when she again started for Oswego. At Nine Mile Point she was naught in the ice but was driven back by. the east wind and managed to make Fair Haven harbor again. The strong south wind of last night drove the field _ of ice off the shore, and at 5 o'clock this morning she loft Fair Haven, arriving here without accident. Half an hour after the arrival of the Marsh, the schooner Ariel, Captain Joe Philp, came into port with a cargo of 1O,K00 bushels'of barley and rye for Irwin & Sloan. The Ariel left Port Hope Monday morning and reached Fair Haven last night. At 10 o'clock yesterday morning they were passed by the Van Allen thirty miles up the lake, and a few hours later were met by the , steamer Kingston!. Both' steamers were free of the Ice. The sailors on the Marsh and Ariel say that there is more ice in the lake than they have ever seen. It extends up the lake as far as Pultnevville and across to Long Point, and is very heavv. The Ida Walker and Erie Queen are supposed to have left- Whitby for Oswego on Monday, and the Maria Annette and Lewis Ross were ready to leave Port Hope. All are barley laden, as no lumber is being shipped yet from cither of ;hese ports. The schooner Mario Annette eft Charlotte this morning for Oswego." PASSING AWAY. DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN KKPORTEK. "Walter Kerclieval, marine editor of the Tribune, who had been suffering with pneumonia, was given up by the family physician yesterday morning. When The INTER Ocean representative called at the residence, at midnight last night, the sufferer was still alive, bub alVhope had* been abandoned and it was feared that each gasp would be his last. He was unconscious during most of the day and last night, and raved continuously of his marine work, a department he took great pride in. Kre this it is more than probable that poor Walt has "crossed the bay," and that the affairs of this world are troubles of the past. Mr. Keroheval learned the printing trade in his youth and worked steadily at it until two years ago, when he was taken from the case on the Tribune and given the marine department, a position ho filled with credit. He had a large circle of acquaintances, and was quite popular. His friends nominated hiin for the Legislature at the last election, and he made an excellent run, displaying political sfarehgth that surprised his opponents. Wife and aged mother are left to mourn his untimely cutting oft', and both are almost prostrated with long watching and grief. The father of the deceased was a surgeon in the United. States service in these parts in the early days, and his uncle was one of the first Indian agents here. The dangerous illness of Walter was the subject of general remark in marine circles yesterday, and everyone had a kind word to say for him. ••MOTTNTAINS OF ICE." CAPTAIN M'CAK'THUE'S REPORT OP LAKE HURON. Captain John McArthur arrived in Chicago yesterday to fit ordfc the steamship Siberia, which he will command the coming season in place of Captain Sam Thornton. Captain McArthur comes from the Canadian side of Lake Huron, and reports A great deal of ice there. He says: "It is piled up in bergs and hills and mountains as far as the eye can reach;" that "in the distance jfc looks like clouds, so high up does it tower above the surface of the lake." The captain does not anticipate nearly so much trouble from ice in the Straits of Mackinaw as at the foot of Lake Huron. "So much ace was never before known on L;;ke Huroui," continues the captain, "and it is at the foot ot that lake that the fleets will encounter most otf their difficulties." / This is most discouraging talk, but while it isf all true, warm weather, wind, and rain can make quick transformation scenes when they get to i work. A few dtays might change the whole condition of thingss. It is a well-known fact that the | heaviest ice disappears "suddenly and mysteri- I ously" when wairm rain and wind have been at I work for a shonrt time. The fact is thai great icebergs luecome porous, fill with water and ¦ sink. CHICAGO PORT LIST. ARRIVALS. Steambarge Milwaukee, Grand Haven, lumber. Steambarge Tempest, east shore, sundries. CLEAUANCSS. Schr J. Maria Bcou, Oswego, strain. Bchr Guide, Pierporu, light. Schr Helen, Carlton, light. Steambarge Michael Groh, east shore, sundries. Schr L. M. Mason, light. Sieambarge Tempest, oast shore, sundries. VARIOUS PORTS. ¦ ¦ MILWAUKEE. Special Telegram to Xuelutar oaoan. Milwaukee, Wia., April 12.—The scow H. H. Williams, the first sail arrival, aud the steam-barire Nellie Torrent, the first lumber carrier to arrive in Milwaukee this year, came in to-dav, ttie former with a cargo of wood from Horn's Pier and the latter with a cargo of lumber from Manistee. The scow Durham, the first sail departure, and the steambarge G. T. Burroughs left for Bailey's Harbor this afternoon- There were'fceven clearances and six arrivals at this port to-day. The steamer Chicago will leave Manitowoc tomorrow evening on her first trip of the season. She goes on the^-eat-ahore route. Duriuff the fore part of the week Hopkins Pier and perry's Pier at Pierport were considerably damaged by the ice, and Swaty A Fallow's Pier at Foscara, with 100 cords, of wood, was aearly all carried away. About 100 fuet of the pier at Claybank3 was also carried away. .1 Hans Johnson to-day sold to Andrew Peterson fl hair of the scow K. H. Booker for $1,050, and C. Bresmeister sold to F. lUchert the scow Milton ! for *lr0O0. The schooner J. B. Merrill was to-dav char-, tered for 413.000 bushels of wheat to Buffalo on p. v. Shippers were offering 4 cents on wheat to Buffalo, and agents were? asking 4X4 cents. FROM HORiN'S PIER. / Special Telegram to The Initer Ocean. Horn's Pier, Wis., A»aii 12.—The lake is free from ice along the west, shore to Death's Door. * The Sturgeon Bav Canal is also open. Tha y schooner F. W. Williams, the first arrival at this place, and only vessel seen hero since last fall, cleared for Milwaukee with cordwood last Sunday night. The ice at Sturgeon Bay and in Green Bay is disappearing last, but there is no opening yet. The steam barce Thomas Smith is loaded at Sturgeon Bay and expects to break a ^channel through,-via the canal, in a few days. The weather is warm anal pleasant; wind light* •¦ northeast. ...,*»***•* LA UXCH. , Special Telegram to The inter Ocean. SAUGATUCK. Mich., Apru li.—About 3 o'clock / this afternoon the steam; excursion yacht built by J. B. Martel for Captain H. Dohleke, of Cni-cago, was successfully launched in the presence of many spectators.. She- was named J. W. Parmelee, in honor of Chicago's popular'bus man. Following are her dimensions: Length over all, 70 feet; breadth of beam, lS1^ feet: depth of hold, 7?eeiv« inches: steel boiler. 5x10; engine, 10 square; wheel, 5 feet 4 inches, and of Buffalo make. She i« to be fitted up as an excursion boat, and will be ready for business about the miudleot'May. lhe steambarge J. S. Seaverns left port for Chicago this evening. MU-SKEO-ON T'UG FUEET. Special iTfllegr-Wtt to The Inter Ocean ¦_ MVSKEOON, Mica,, April 12.—Th^ Muskegon Lake tug fiaet has been overhauled and Is ready for business. Towing rates Will be the same as last year. The flfeefc will bo uiUer the management ot the association. Muskegon Lako Is now free from ice and vessels are commenciait tfo load lumber for Chicago. * CANADIAN POINTS. Special Telegram to TM6 lutear Oc^in, Toronto, Ont., April 12.— Au easterly wind drove the ice out of the harbor to-day. Navigation may now ha said to have opened. The opening is the latest, with two exceptions, since I80O. One or two schooners are loading grain and will ieave for Oswego to-Ynorrow or- next day. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Kingston, Out., April in.— Vessel man are now debating tht: bill before Parliament regarding masters and mates. Many of its features are severely comments:* upoh. The legislation, if carried out, will make many class differences. Tire: laa is ouite solid inj,he harbor yet. Navigation will no: open for ^probably a coupie of weeks, Special Telosrmm to The Inteir Ocean. St. Catherines, Om„ April 12.— No signs of navigation opening hera. The ico In the canal. thouirh- still pretty firm, gives indications of breaking up. T^ >i. M GRAIN FKEIGHTS. There was activity iu grain freights again yesterday, and rates were firm and higher, ruling at 4@4%o on corn to Buffalo. On corn to Kingston the advanced figure of Tuesday, 634C was again obtained. AU the Anchor Lino craft in port here were chartered—four in -number. The capacity of crafft chartered yesterday was criven in The iNi'EE Ocean's iis.t of 4fi«ho vessels in port" as follows: Kuahel3. Propeller Colorado....................... 52,000 Propeller Clarion.......................... 80,000 Propeller Conemaugh.................... 75.000 Barge Allegheny......................... 45,000 Steamship Lehigh........ ................ 75,000 Bchoonec Higgle...........,............... 32,000 Total...................................359,000 It is seen that tne lisrnt«capacity in port is vapidly disappearing. Deduccung yesterday's charters (359,000 busheis) frojm tne total lij;ht capacity on Tuesday, which wvas 2,560,000 feus he's, there now remains but 2,1,207,000 buahefs. Of this cipacity a iarge porti.iou 19 Western, Union. and Commercial Line prcopeilers, and several of them will have fud downn cargoes of package freight. ^w^